Trump signs order to reinstate 8,000+ service members discharged over COVID-19 vaccine mandate with full back pay and benefits

By lauraharris // 2025-02-01

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 26 to reinstate more than 8,000 service members who were discharged or left the military due to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, with full back pay and benefits.
The executive order directs the secretaries of the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Homeland Security to take immediate steps to restore the careers and benefits of the affected service members, including those who left voluntarily rather than comply with the mandate.
A federal court ruling by Judge Armando O. Bonilla on January 23 found that the military's COVID-19 vaccine mandate was unconstitutional and violated service members' rights, as the vaccines used had only emergency use authorization at the time.
The ruling did not address monetary compensation but called for further proceedings with the DOD, and the recent executive order may expedite the process of reinstating affected service members.
The executive order highlights the unfairness of the vaccine mandate and the military's unjust discharge of service members who refused the vaccine, without granting many of them the exemptions they should have received.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to reinstate more than 8,000 service members who were discharged or left the military under the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination mandate with full back pay and benefits. The order, signed on Jan. 26, directs the secretaries of defense and homeland security to take immediate steps to restore the careers and benefits of service members who were discharged or separated from the military due to their refusal to comply with the vaccine mandate. Under the executive order, affected service members will be reinstated to their former ranks and will receive full back pay, benefits, bonus payments or compensation. The order also covers those who left the service voluntarily rather than comply with the mandate. According to Task and Purpose, a total of 1,903 soldiers, 1,878 sailors, 3,748 Marines and 671 airmen were separated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. Of those troops, only 73 soldiers, 25 Marines, 13 airmen and two sailors have returned to the military. So the new order, built on previous rules enacted in 2023, allows troops who were previously discharged to return to active duty with no guarantee of back pay or benefits will now receive it. (Related: Trump pledges to reinstate troops discharged over COVID-19 vaccine refusal, offers back pay.) "The vaccine mandate was an unfair, overbroad, and completely unnecessary burden on our service members," Trump wrote in the executive order. "Further, the military unjustly discharged those who refused the vaccine, regardless of the years of service given to our Nation, after failing to grant many of them an exemption that they should have received. Federal Government redress of any wrongful dismissals is overdue."

Federal court ruling favors booted service members

The executive order came a few days after Judge Armando O. Bonilla of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled on Jan. 23 that the U.S. government illegally mandated an unlicensed product when it required service members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The plaintiffs, who were either involuntarily discharged or forced into early retirement due to their unvaccinated status, argued that the mandate was unconstitutional and violated their rights. Lawyers representing the U.S. government attempted to dismiss the case, but their efforts were unsuccessful. In his ruling, Judge Bonilla emphasized that the COVID-19 vaccines used at the time of the mandate had only emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, not full licensing. The judge's ruling did not address monetary compensation but called for further proceedings with the Department of Defense (DOD). However, the recent executive order by Trump may expedite the process. The order directs the DOD secretary to enable affected service members to be reinstated, increasing the likelihood of a favorable settlement. Visit MedicalTyranny.com for more stories about COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the military. Watch Lt. Col. Theresa Long attesting to the dangers of COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the military in this clip.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

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Federal court ruling favors booted service members

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